Peng Changjian (center), former municipal lawmaker and deputy director of the Chongqing Public Security Bureau, stands trial at the Chongqing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on Monday, February 8, 2010 for allegedly taking bribes and shielding gangs. [Photo: cqfy.chinacourt.org]

A former police chief in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality stood trial Monday for providing a "protective umbrella" for local gangs.

The Chongqing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on Monday heard that Peng Changjian, former municipal lawmaker and deputy director of the Chongqing Public Security Bureau, had allegedly taken bribes, shielded local gangs and paid for assets using "unidentified sources."

According to investigating prosecutors, Peng took 4.71 million yuan (694,200 U.S. dollars) in bribes from gang leaders when he worked in different posts in the police bureau between 1998 and 2009.

Peng was also charged with failing to explain how he financed the purchase of properties worth 4.67 million yuan.

The gang members he allegedly protected have been tried in separate trials as part of the city's mass crackdown on gang-related crimes. A total of 52 officials have been prosecuted during the crackdown, including 10 high-ranking officials.